Peter O'Toole retires from acting after 53 years

Legendary actor
Peter O'Toole is calling it quits after 50 years of acting and a string of memorable performances including
"Lawrence of Arabia," "The Lion in Winter" and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips."

O'Toole was nominated eight times for the Best Actor Academy Award, though never won. In 2003 he received an honorary Oscar for his body of work. Most recently, he appeared in
"For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada" with
Eva Longoria and
Andy Garcia. He's also appeared in several episodes of Showtime's
"The Tudors" as Pope Paul III.

Dear All,

It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won't come back.

My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought me together with fine people, good companions with whom I've shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits.

However, it's my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one's stay.

So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell.

EverPeter O'Toole

A statement from O'Toole's reps said he'll be "spending his time working on the third volume of his memoirs."